The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is reminding everyone to be safe on the roads this New Year’s week.
Chief Deputy Greg Sanders tells us they’ll have extra patrols out on the road looking for drunk drivers, especially on New Year’s Eve. He notes the department catches some each year.
“We do, unfortunately,” Sanders said. “I think that’s an important aspect of our job to keep the roads safe, to keep an eye out for impaired drivers.”
Sanders says it’s not difficult to take precautions so you don’t find yourself in a jail cell due to driving impaired.
“Plan ahead. If you find yourself drinking at a party or at a bar, get a ride home, find a designated driver beforehand, maybe utilize Uber, whatever it takes.”
As with Christmas, Sanders notes police everywhere make sacrifices to ensure the roads are kept safe.
“The shift work and work on the holidays can be tough on their families, and I think it’s important to recognize them during the holiday season also.”
It’s not just drunk driving that police want people to avoid. Sanders says drugged driving is treated the same, and police have ways of screening drivers for it.
Also, Sanders urges everyone to drop the distractions when behind the wheel. A law took effect this year banning the use of a cell phone while driving.
